Sealed package



N. N. HOLLAND SEALEDv PACKAGE Filed Dec. 14, 192'9 Il Il. l. lll'Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFI-'lcs NORIAN N. HOLLAND,0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ABSIGNOB T0 ANCHOR CAP 0mm CORPORATION, OF LONGISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW You SEALED PACKAGEApplication illed December 14, 1929. Serial No. 414,017.

The present invention relates to the sealing art and more particularlyto a sealed package and method of sealing.

Heretofore, in forming ermetically sealed packages, closure caps havebeen sealed on tumblers and similar glass containers by reforming theskirt of the cap to press the asket against the side wall of thecontainer. uch caps, while making an excellent hermetic seal, haveseveral disadvantages. The reformation of the skirt requires complicatedmachinery and slows up production in acking plants because of lowsealing spee In addition, the reformation of the bead between the sidewall of the container reduces the projecting portions of the cap andmakes it difficult to remove it because it is diiicult to make a bottleopener readily engage the ca Then too, the skirt of the cap has tostretched substantially to clear the rim of the container duringremoval. Since the caps are usually removed by a bottle opener whichraises one side about the other side as a pivot, considerable stretchingis necessary where the seal is made a substantial distance below the rimof the container. Such caps are usually distorted in removal to such an`extent that they cannot be used for reseal purposes. Other caps areadapted to form substantially an edge seal by downward pressure on thecap. The seal with such caps is substantially at the junction of theskirt and cover portion of the ca and adjacent the rim of the container.T is is the portion of the container which is most likely to havemanufacturing defects; hence, a relatively large number of defectiveseals result. In addition, the seal being at the junction of the Vskirtand cover portion, the cover portion reinforces the skirt and decreasesits expansiveness. lSince all 'glass containers vary from a truestandard'both in size and out-of-roundness, these caps cannotaccommodate the desirable range of variation. Certain other [caps areformed from celluloid or material such as aluminum and rely upon thevacuum within the container to hold the caps in place. Such caps areusually torn o and cannot be used for reseal purposes and, due to thethinness of the materials, the seals are likely to be impaired duringshipment and handling.

The present invention overcomes or minlmizes these diiculties byprovidin a closure cap with a gasket located in t e skirt of the cap asubstantial distance below the cover portion thereof. The gasket may berelatively small and inexpensive. 'The container is provided with atapered or bevelled surface adjoining the rim thereof merging into asealing surface which may, for example, be cylindrical. In this way, allthe advantages of the side seal are attained so that defects at the rimof the container do not impair the seal. The sealing equi ment is simplesince the caps may be sealed y downward pressure. T e portion of the capengaging the gasket is a substantial distance from the cover portion ofthe cap and, hence,

a maximum range of size and out-of-roundness in the container may beaccommodated. The tapered part of the container not only facilitates thesealing operation but it also facilitates the removal of the cap byminimizing the stretching necessar to make the skirt of the cap clearthe rim o the container in removal. i

An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive sealed packagewherein the closure cap can be easily applied to the commercial run ofglass containers to form an effective seal'which can be readily removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package from which theclosure cap may be removed without material deformation and thereafterused for reseal purposes.

Another object of the invention is to min-l illustrative embodimentabout to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, andvarious advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled inthe art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing,forming part of the specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sideelevational view of a sealed package, partly in section, illustratingone embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the relative positions ofthe cap and container just prior to the sealing operation Fig. 3 is afragmentary sectional view illustrating the cap in Fig. 1 applied to acontainer having a pry-off shoulder to facilitate removal of the cap;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the application ofthe cap to a slightly different container;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a sealed package inaccordance with the cap and container shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view i1- lustrating another form ofscaled package.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2,there is shown a sealed package comprising a container 1 and a closurecap 2. The container is here shown in the form of a tumbler although theinvention is equally applicable to jars and Various other types ofreceptacles. The upper end of the container is provided with a rim 4 anda sealing zone 5, shown herein as cylindrical. rlhe portion of thecontainer intermediate the rim and sealing zone is bevelled, as shown at6, so that there is a continuous inclined or conical surface leadingfrom the rim of the container to the sealing zone 5. The surface 6decreases in size as it approaches the rim of the container andincreases in size as it approaches and merges into the sealing zone.

r1`he closure cap 2 may comprise a cover portion 7 and a depending skirt8. A bead or recess 9 is formed, preferably at the bottom of the skirt,to accommodate a gasket 10. The lower edge of the cap is turnedinwardly, as shown at 11, to form the bottom of the bead and to supportthe gasket 10 in the bead. The upper part of the skirt of the cap ispreferably liared outwardly substantially to conform to the bevelledsurface 6 adjacent the rim of the container. i

1n sealing the containers, the caps 2 ma be laid upon the containers, asshown in Fig. 2, while they are passing along the conveyor. Thereafter,an anvil 3, shaped to fit over and conform to the cover portion of theoep, env

gages the cap and presses it on the container. As pressure is applied tothe cover portion of the cap, the gas et slides over the inclinedsurface 6 on the container, being compressed during its movement, andfinally rests upon the sealing surface 5 of the container, as shown inFig. 1. In this state, the gasket is pressed very tightly against theside wall of the container over substantially its entire width and theskirt or bead of the cap 9, under the stresses created in the gasket, isstretched slightly and acts as a very strong resilient band to press thegasket tightly against the container.

In Fig. 3, a cap is shown applied to a jar having a pry-od shoulder 12.The sealing operation may be the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and2 but the removal is preferably effected by inserting a coin between thelower edge of the cap and the shoulder 12 of the container to pry of thecap. Without the shoulder, the cap can be conveniently removed by abottle opener, the lower jaw of which engages the bead 9 and thepivoting end of which rests upon the cover portion of the cap. 'l`hctapered portion 6 not only facilitates the application of the cap to acontainer but it greatly facilitates the removal thereof. When a hookedbottle opener is applied to a cap, the upward pressure applied to oneside of the cap tends to rotate the cap about its opposite side as apivot. This can be done with the present type of container because thegasket will readily clear the rim of the container due to the differenceinize between the sealing Zone 5 and the upper periphery of thecontainer. 1f the tumbler 1 extended straight up to the rim, as iscustomary at the present time, the skirt of the cap would have to beexpanded substantially and distorted in order to stretch it sufficientlyto clear the rim of the container. rihis could only be accomplished bycareful manipulation of a cap opener and the application of considerableforce to the closure which generally resulted in so much distortion thatfurther use of the closure for reseal purposes was not feasible. Byreason of the tapered surface 6 immediately adjacent the sealing Zone,the cap may be removed by the insertion of a coin between the lower partof the cap and the shoulder 12 on the container, as illustrated in Fig.3.

While the sealing operation can be performed by a flat disc applyingdownward pressure to the cover portion of the cap, preferably, a sealinganvil 3 is used, which is shaped substantially to conform to the upperportion of the cap with a portion engaging the upper side of the bead 9.In this way, the cap is held rigidly in position and forced upon thecontainer Without creating undue stresses in the metal of the cap.

In Figs. 4 and 5, the reduced portion of the rim of the containeradjacent its upper end is provided with two inclined portions 14 and 15moa-aes leading from the rim' 4 tothe'sealng surface 5. The surface Misonly slightly inclined so that the gasket can slip over 'this portionand be centered by engagement 'with the incline which issubstantiallgreater than that of the surface 14. 'In t is way, when a' cap is placedu on the container, it= immediatelyseats itsel roperly, whichfacilitates its ap licatio'ntot econtain'er.

`lIn ig. 6 la slightly different construction is shownfw erein thesurface lli'is substantially perpendicular. It serves the same purposeas ythe'surface -14 in Fig. 5. The cap in this gu're is' also'sli'ghtlydifferent from the cap in the rema'ix'iingl figures in that the loweredge of the cap is' 'rolled inwardly, as shown at ld, to forni" a shelfforl support of the gasket andthe lower side of the bead and to concealthe raw edge of the skirt. In addition, the edge provides a stren heningportion which prevents distortion o the cap when a hookedopener isapplied with undue cree.' '1

it will" be seen tha'gt'the-present invention provides 'a sealedpackage, the portions of which 3o-'operate tol produce a very eifectiveseal which'ca'n'he readily removed and the closure `cap'nsed for resealpurposes. The advantages of such a construction have long heenrecognized 'in the sealing'art and many shorts have been madel tocombine these in a single construction." `Due to the obstacles which hadto be overcome, these e'orts have only been partially successful. Theseal is made on the container over the entire width of the gasket and,hence, is very effective. By utilizing the entire width of the gasket,it may be reduced in size and may be increased in thickness. Theincreased thickness of the gasket gives greater flexibility andaccommodates a wider range of variations in the glass containers. Inaddition, the bead, being at the bottom of the skirt of the cap, is notsubstantially reinforced by the cover portion and, hence, acts as astrong spring pressing the gasket about the side wall of the container.By reason of the tapered portion adacent the bevelled container, the capmay readily removed without substantial stretching or distortion andmagy be used as a reseal closure for covering an sealing the contents ofthe container during the consumption thereof. The invention isapplicable to tumblers which may be used for drinking purposes. Theflare 6 at the upper end of the tumbler tends to enhance its appearanceand usefulness rather than detract from it. The construction is simpleand inexpensive and fully capable of withstanding the rough usage towhich it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction, andarrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacricing its advanta es, itis to be understoodthat all matter erein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not ina'. limiting sense.

Having thus described my inventioml claim: v

1. A sealed package comprising the comf bination of a closure cap, aasket in the skirt of the cap located a su stantial .distance below thecoverportion thereof, and a container having a sealing zone forengagement with said gasket, and a tapered portion leading to saidsealing zone and terminatin substantially at the upper part of said aset.

2. sealed package comprisin the combination of a closure cap, a gas etin the skirt of the cap, and a contamer'having a sealinlg zone for engaement with said gasket, t e upper edge o said container bein bevelled toprovide an inclined surface lea ing to said sealing zone and terminatingsub stantially at `the upper part ofI said gasket whereb the cap may besealed to the container y downward pressure, the inclined surfaceexpanding the gasket in the skirt of the cap to cause it to form a tightfriction seal with the sealing surface, the cover part of the capresting u n the rim of the container when the pac age is sealed.

3., A sealed package comprisn the combination of a closure cap, a gas etloosely mounted in the skirt of the cap located a. substantial distancefrom the cover portion thereof, and a container having a substantiallycylindrical sealing zone for en agement with said gasket, the upper edgeo said container being bevelled to provide an inclined surface leadingto said sealing zone and terminating substantially at the upper pgrt ofsaid gasket whereby the cap ma,

sealed to the container by downwar pressure without reformation of theskirt of the cap, the downward .movement of the cap being limited byengagement of the cover part of the cap with the rim of the container.

4. A sealed package comprising the combination of a closure cap having acover portion and a dependin skirt, said skirt being flared outwardly anhaving its lower edge ending in an inturned fla-nge, a gasket in t eskirt of said cap resting upon said flange, a container having abevelled surface adJacent the rim thereof, whereby said cap may be yforced on said, container by downwardl pressure, the bevelled surfaceforcing said gasket and the skirt of the cap outwardly to form a tightfriction seal and terminating substantially at the upper part of thegasket, the downward movement of the cap being limited by engagement ofthe cover part of the cap with the rim of the container.

5. A sealed package comprising'a closure cap having a cover portion anda depending skirt, a bead in the lower portion .of said skirt, a gasketin said bead, and a container having a cylindrical sealing surface belowthe rim thereof, the portion of the container between said cylindricalsurface and said rim being reduced in size to facilitatel application ofthe closure, and said gasket engaging the upper part of said cylindricalsurface to facilitate removal of the ca 6. A sealed package comprisingthe combination of a closure ca having a cover portion and a depending/sirt, the upper part of said skirt being flared outwardly, a bead in thelower portion of said skirt, a gasket in said bead, and a containerhaving its outer rim bevelled with a sealing surface below` saidbevelled portion, said gasket contacting with and forming a seal uponthe upper part of said sealing surface.

7. A sealed package comprising a container having a sealing surfacesubstantially one quarter of an inch below the rim thereof, a closurecap having a bead in the skirt there of substantially one qua-rter of aninch below the cover portion thereof, and a gasket in said bead., theupper portion of the container above said bead being reduced in size tofacilitate removal of the cap from the container 8. The method ofsealing closure caps to containers, which method comprises providing acap with a gasket in the skirt thereof, a container having a taperedsurface adjacent the rim thereof, and sealing said cap to said containerby pressing said cap on the container, whereby the tapered surface ofthe container expands the inner surface of the gasket and the skirt ofthe cap to form a tight friction seal between the gasket and the sidewall of the container with the upper part of the gasket substantially atthe lower part of the tapered surface, and limiting the downwardmovement of the cap by engagement of the cover part thereof with the rimof the container.

9. A" sealed package comprising, in combination, a closure cap having anannular recess in the skirt ofthe cap located a substantial distancefrom the cover portion thereof, the upper side of said recess being flatand substantially'horizontal to rest against and to hold a gasket, agasket in said recess, a container having a sealing surface over whichsaid gasket and said cap are ada ted to be telescoped for sealing thecontainer, and a tapered portion on said container leading to saidsealing surface, the lower part of said tapered portion of the containerterminating at the upper side of said gasket when the cap is in sealedposition.

10. A sealed package comprising the combination of a closure cap havinga bead in the skirt thereof, a gasket loosely mounted in said bead, anda container having a cylindrical sealing zone for engagement with thegasket to form a hermetic side seal, the portion of the container abovethe sealing zone being of reduced size, whereby the cul may be sealed tothe container by downwar pressure without reformation of the bead, theupper edge of the gasket bein substantially in line with the lower parto said reduced portion of the container to facilitate removal of thecap.

11. A sealed package com rising a container having a sealing sur acebelow the rim thereof, a closure cap having a bead in the skirt thereof,the upper side of said bead beingwsubstantially horizontal, a gasket insaid ad, the upper rtion of the container beginning substantia 1y at theupper side of sald bea being reduced in size to facilitate the removalof the cap from the container.

12. A sealed package comprising a container havin a sealing surfacebelow the rim thereof, a c osure cap having a bead in the skirt thereof,the upper side of said bead being substantially horizontal, a gasket insaid bead engaging the upper part of the sealing surface, the u rportion of the container above said sea mg surface being reduced in sizeso that the skirt of the cap will not have to be stretched materiallywhen engaged hy afcap opener and raised about one side thereo New York,this 29th day of ovember, i929.

NORMAN N. HOLLAND.

Signed in the city, count and State of

